Even if the Detroit Red Wings return to full health, which appears for now as if it will happen approximately never, taking Riley Sheahan out of the lineup may be impossible. Sheahan continued his strong play with an early goal Thursday night against the Ottawa Senators, his fourth of the season and 12th point in just 20 games.

This one was a bit of a gift. Senators defenseman Cody Ceci dropped a blind pass right onto the tape of Sheahan’s stick, and the Wings’ young center did the rest, ripping a wrister past Robin Lehner to make it 1-0.